Alfa holds 3.5G gathering for top Lebanese telecom executives and CEOs in Beirut

Alfa Chairman & CEO, Mr. Marwan Hayek, invited top Lebanese telecom executives and CEOs from worldwide countries to a gathering in Le Gray Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon, to discuss the importance and expected advantages that the third generation of mobile technology (3.5G) will bring to Lebanon, in the presence of His Excellency, the Minister of Telecommunications, Mr. Nicolas Sehnaoui, and officials at the Ministry of Telecommunications and Alfa. 

The meeting, held in partnership with “Telecom Review” publication, took place on June 17^th, 2011, in line with the final preparations by Alfa, the first Lebanese mobile operator managed by Orascom Telecom, before the actual launch of the 3.5G technology in September. 

In a Word of Welcome, Mr. Hayek said: “It is an honor to have you here today as we are on the brink of upgrading the Lebanese telecommunications sector from the second to third generation, after long preparations and ongoing work hand in hand with the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications under the guidance of His Excellency, Minister Charbel Nahas.” 

The meeting brought together Lebanese executives from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Belgium, Italy, France, Netherlands, Kuwait, Syria, Nigeria, and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to  mark an opportunity for networking and exchanging views on the latest technological developments happening in the world of telecommunications. There was a consensus among the Executives that the 3.5G technology is a milestone for Lebanon and a ground-breaking project that is bound to fuel economic growth in the country, facilitate the way Lebanese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do business, as well as creating numerous job opportunities for the Lebanese. 

Mr. Hayek confirmed that Lebanon will certainly regain its pioneering role on the regional telecommunications map, after the introduction of the third generation of mobile technology (3.5G). He added, “The 3.5 technology will have a huge positive impact on our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attracting new investments to Lebanon, boosting the national economy and spurring economic growth.” 

It is worth mentioning that “Orascom Telecom Holding” (OTH) is the international leading mobile operator in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and counts over 104 million subscribers.